Chapter 506: Su Yang Takes Over as Township Party Committee Secretary

"Alright, alright, let's go to the conference room now," Bai Yutang was so excited he had forgotten himself; he even forgot that when such a leader comes to the township, in theory the person who should stand in front of them is Su Yang.

Within the System you can mess around elsewhere, but you must never hijack a position. Li Tian was once extremely arrogant and reckless, yet in important occasions he didn't dare cross the line even a step; Township Party Committee Secretary Qin Chuan firmly stood first.

But Bai Yutang was already overexcited and jumped straight to the front.

Of course, Su Yang now didn't care about these rankings, and he hadn't intended to move forward. If it were only Gao Fengming coming, he would have stepped forward to say a few words, but since Fang Jingwen was also present, he instinctively stepped back.

Because Fang Jingwen's temperament was impossible to gauge, who knows what she might say? The last time in the conference room of Huatian Town, he was embarrassed, and in such a crowded setting today he certainly wouldn't step forward.

So after Fang Jingwen took two steps forward, he approached Gao Fengming and said, "Minister Gao, welcome to Xiushui Xiang for guidance work."

Gao Fengming's face showed the smile unique among men; he obviously knew Su Yang was afraid of being embarrassed by Fang Jingwen on the spot: "You're still so courteous; coming with such a grand display today was fully considered by the county. If County Magistrate Zhou hadn't taken various factors into account, he might not have come either."

Su Yang replied, "That's already grand enough. If I recall correctly, Xiushui Xiang hasn't had a standing committee‑level leader visit in the past two years; this time is a face‑saving for the Xiushui Xiang government."

Just then he heard Fang Jingwen shout, "Su Yang? Why aren't you heading to the conference room yet?"

When that voice rang out, everyone froze for a moment, then stopped in their tracks. Having the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary call out to the conference room is, for anyone, a damn thunderclap.

The group of lackeys who had followed Bai Yutang briefly argued, then let out mocking laughs. Bai Yutang, even more agitated, thought, "That damn Gao Haisheng quietly handled the big matter without a sound."

He had originally wanted to call Gao Haisheng directly to arrange something, but the phone wouldn't connect. So he thought he'd go to the County Hospital to find Gao Haisheng after assuming the Township Party Committee Secretary role. Now, it's like marrying a wife and celebrating the New Year together—nothing is more satisfying than Su Yang's dazzling moment of falling from grace.

At that moment his face was flushed, he walked with vigor, so much so that he didn't even go up to greet Gao Fengming, the County Committee Organization Department Head, shouting, "Su Yang, Secretary Fang told you to hurry, don't delay. Everyone else, catch up quickly; you usually correct work style, yet at a critical moment you dawdle in the conference room. Oh, and are the other two comrades from the Poverty Alleviation Office also coming?"

Fang Jingwen gave no answer at all; she was utterly disgusted with people like Bai Yutang, and any extra word made her feel sick.

Gao Fengming also ignored Bai Yutang; in his eyes, Bai Yutang was like a clown, leaping about. This is Bai Yutang's last moment; let him bounce here for a while.

Xie Siyang could not contain his inner fury and said, "Look at this petty man's triumphant look. Director Su didn't mention this matter..."

Liu Peixia whispered nearby, "Don't speak; when we get to the conference room you'll see. Director Su's words are certainly reliable; even the Discipline Inspection Commission came this time, can't you see that?"

Xie Siyang suddenly understood, his eyes widened as he said, "Could it be..."

Liu Peixia nodded, "That's about right; otherwise you'd really think the Discipline Inspection Commission leadership especially valued the appointment of the Township Party Committee Secretary to the point of deploying two County Standing Committee Members at once?"

A moment later, all the township government cadres, big and small, took their seats in the conference room, even the cafeteria auntie didn't miss out. Normally a cook wouldn't be allowed to attend such a meeting, but Bai Yutang announced at noon that the Organization Department people were coming, and anyone on any post must attend.

After everyone sat down, Bai Yutang quickly brewed two cups of tea and brought them in. Then he prepared to sit on the podium and preside over the meeting.

According to custom, this has always been the case; even for a new appointment, the Township Party Committee Secretary always chairs, and if the secretary is absent, the township head chairs. Now both the township head and secretary are absent, so it must be Deputy Secretary who chairs. As for Su Yang, he paid no attention; after all, a person about to be taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission has no reason to care.

"Return to your own seat; you don't need to chair the meeting today, the Organization Department's Minister Gao will chair personally."

Hearing this, Bai Yutang felt a slight resentment; he had wanted to see this dazzling moment through to the end. Since he wasn't allowed to chair and Minister Gao would chair personally, his face still had some shine.

Then he sat in the very middle of the front row, nudging Su Yang aside. Su Yang didn't mind; he just gave a slight smile and shifted his chair a bit.

At that moment Gao Fengming said, "Comrades! Xiushui Xiang, due to the former Township Party Committee Secretary and township head violating laws and discipline, has now been handed over to judicial authorities. After deliberation and a vote by the Organization, it was decided to appoint former County Poverty Alleviation Office comrade Su Yang as Township Party Committee Secretary of Xiushui Xiang, concurrently serving as Deputy Director of the Poverty Alleviation Office, and to preside over all work in Xiushui Xiang as Township Party Committee Secretary!"

After speaking, he led the applause. Everyone in the conference room was stunned for a moment, then clapped sparsely.

They clearly heard the news that this afternoon Bai Yutang would assume the Township Party Committee Secretary role; because of this, they had already given Bai Yutang gifts while playing mahjong this morning. Moreover, the more clever ones even rushed to Bai Yutang's home at noon, bringing big bundles of gifts, and they didn't hold back.

How did it suddenly become Su Yang? Didn't we say Su Yang's appointment was removed during the public notice period? And it was directly intervened by the city—how could this happen? Could Minister Gao have read the list wrong?

Compared with those people, Bai Yutang felt as if he had been hit on the head, standing dumbfounded. He muttered at the corner of his mouth, "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible, how could this happen? How could this happen?" Then he stood up and said, "Minister Gao, did you read the list wrong?"